Taught by Larry Kernagis using the Wernick Method*
Big Bear Lake, CA at the Vintage Lakeside Inn
41076 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
May 14-16, 2021
Friday 6-9:30pm; Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 9am-2pm
Tuition: $250
Includes Saturday breakfast & lunch; $25 discount for Larry’s returning students! $100 deposit holds your spot
Call 909-866-4978 to reserve your room at the Inn; ask for special camp discount: $119 (king) or $129 (2 queens) per night.
Larry Kernagis was raised during the folk revival era of the 60s, cutting his chops on Flatt & Scruggs and the Kingston Trio. Eventually, he became a banjo instructor at the famed Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. Larry has led Bluegrass jams at festivals across the country for the past 30 years. He now employs his banjo, guitar and vocal skills entertaining with “greengrass” Celtic group Def Leprechaun.
Larry’s students say:
“Larry was an excellent instructor. Patient and kind, he brought the music to life and gave me the tools to do the same.”
“Larry encouraged us to try and get beyond our fears and try different things. He is very patient.”
“When I was young I was a classically trained violinist, but Larry taught me to play music with the other half of my brain…It’s been a great experience.”
“I really feel like I improved and am now able to jam with almost anyone.”
* Wernick Method Classes teach real bluegrass jamming!
- All bluegrass instruments welcome
- No jamming experience necessary
- You will be jamming the first class!
- Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching.
- Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
- Music reading not needed or used
- Singing not required, but encouraged and taught.
- Easy 2- and 3-chord songs, slow speeds.
- Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught.
- Understanding, low-pressure, time-tested teaching
- Intermediates welcome, and given added challenges
- Hands-on learning in large and small groups
- Learn many bluegrass standards
- Full ground rules and etiquette of typical jams
- How to lead songs and how to follow new songs
- How to find melodies, fake solos, sing harmony
- Ear skills taught and emphasized, as in real bluegrass
- Group and individualized instruction on backup skills
Do you qualify? It’s easier than you may think!
If you play guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, bass, or dobro… you can be part of a bluegrass jam.
Only requirements:
- You must be able to tune your instrument (electronic tuning devices welcome) and
- change smoothly between G, C, D, and A. (Fiddles and basses need to know which notes work with which chords)
For more info or to send payment in the mail, email office@letspick.org.
Click any photo to enlarge.
Richard Crowe
HI Larry
Is there a special discounted rate for the room at Lakeside? They want $441.78 for two nights. Seems awfully high
Leslie Dare
Richard, we’re glad you sent in your question, to which Larry responded directly to you. It was helpful for getting the hotel rates straightened out, so we appreciate your effort to reach out to us!
Hope you have a really enjoyable camp.
Regards,
Leslie Dare, Manager
Wernick Method Office
Chris Kamen
Seriously considering this, but concerned their might not be enough people to make it worthwhile due to covid, what if sign ups are not strong? Also I am a BEGINNER at guitar, dobro, mandolin, can hack my way through the basic chords well enough, can I bring all 3 or best to stick with just one instrument?
Chris Kamen
Booked! See you there
Leslie Dare
Chris, glad you can join the fun. Other beginners have similar questions, and here’s a response from Larry on that.
“What I usually tell people who are beginners is that my class is intended for all levels. We meet people where they’re at in terms of ability and take them to the next level. The folks that we normally attract to our jam camps are very patient and we establish a learning community wherein everybody learns from each other. No need to be embarrassed or intimidated.our motto is “dare to suck”. Mistakes are expected. That’s how we learn.
“All you need to know is how to play a G, C, D and A chord on your instrument and we can make music together. I guarantee you’re going to love it.”
I’ll share your email address so he can answer your question about which instrument(s).
Enjoy!
Leslie Dare, Manager
Wernick Method Office